Department of Bible, Theology, and Ministry

Mission Statement

Affiliated with the Evangelical Friends tradition, the Malone University Department of Bible, Theology, and Ministry is rooted firmly in the protestant evangelical heritage of the historic, ecumenical, and Trinitarian Christian faith. We affirm the authority of the Bible as God’s Word and are committed to the saving mission and ministry of Jesus Christ and his Church. Our distinctive mission is to provide theological education to women and men, enabling them to deepen and clarify their understanding of the Christian faith, cultivate and increase their love of God, and respond obediently to Christ’s call to faithfulness, discipleship, and ministry.

Goals and Learning Objectives

Goal: Students will demonstrate a basic knowledge of and ability to interpret and articulate the biblical story.Learning Objectives: Specifically, students will demonstrate learning related to…

The “grand drama” of the biblical story including key persons, events, and themes

The historical, cultural, and literary contexts, which necessarily inform and guide biblical interpretation

The unity of the Christian biblical canon

The ethical mandates of scripture in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ

Goal: Students will demonstrate a basic knowledge of and ability to articulate central themes in Christian history, theology, and ethics.Learning Objectives: Specifically, students will demonstrate learning related to…

The history and development of the classical theological tradition, including the development of the biblical canon

Key persons, events, and theological developments associated with each of the standard divisions of Christian history (early, medieval, reformation/modern)

The synthetic nature of the main foci of systematic theology, including the doctrines of scripture, revelation, God, creation, humanity, sin, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, Salvation, End times, etc.

Engaging, profitably, with important thinkers and movements from the distant and more recent past when interpreting scripture, practicing theology, and promoting a distinctively Christian moral vision

Goal: Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of and competence in the practice of Christian Ministry.Learning Objective: Specifically, students will demonstrate learning related to…

The Church’s mission and manifold ministries from within the context of the mission of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

A biblical theology acknowledging God as both subject and object of prayer and worship as foundational for the practice of Christian Ministry

The ability to develop, implement, lead, and evaluate a ministry in a specific context (youth, educational, pastoral, missions, worship, or youth/educational ministries depending upon the student’s major) giving attention to all aspects of personhood integrating spiritual growth with social, moral, psychological, cognitive and physical development

The Bible and Theology major is designed to provide an understanding of the Bible, history of Christian thought, and theological doctrines. It provides excellent preparation for students who desire to pursue graduate studies in a seminary or university. The other six majors are designed to equip students for specialized ministries. The Christian Worship major prepares students who desire to follow God’s call to lead Christian worship in a variety of possible ministry contexts and to prepare for graduate studies in ministry. The Educational Ministries major prepares students to become Directors of Christian Education and oversee all educational ministries of local churches. The Missions and Cross-Cultural Major prepares students who desire to follow God’s call to missionary service or to pastoral leadership in a cross-cultural ministry context. The Pastoral Ministry major prepares students who desire to follow God’s call to pastoral leadership in a variety of possible ministry contexts, or to prepare for graduate studies in ministry of any kind. The Youth Ministry major prepares students to lead ministries which touch the lives of adolescents and young adults. The combination major (Youth/Educational Ministries) provides students with broader preparation and prepares them for staff positions in local churches or in organizations such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes or Young Life.

Upon entering the Department of Bible, Theology, and Ministry, each student will be assigned an academic advisor who will provide vocational guidance until graduation. Maintaining a major gpa of 2.5 is required for graduation from any undergraduate program in the Department of Bible, Theology, and Ministry. (See Graduation Requirements - Academic Policies and Procedures.)